Scholarships and Grants
University of Saint Mary Scholarships: The University of Saint Mary awards a number of academic scholarships to high school graduates and transfer students who demonstrate a high level of accomplishment and potential. Recipients are selected on the basis of high school and college records, and ACT or SAT scores. Some scholarships require demonstration of leadership and service. They are awarded on a one-year basis and are renewable. See https://www.stmary.edu/scholarships for additional information on scholarships. Not all programs are scholarship eligible. For example, a student transferring to USM's accelerated nursing program is not eligible for the transfer scholarship open to main campus undergraduate students.
Other Awards at USM: Awards in art and music are available. To apply, the student must audition or present a portfolio of his/her work. Applicants interested in any of these awards should check the appropriate space on the admission application form and return it to the Admissions Office at the University of Saint Mary. The university will then send the specific procedure for application.
Athletic awards are available to students with proven athletic ability and motivation who also meet NAIA criteria.
Need-based grants: These awards are available to full-time students with unmet financial needs and can include federal aid as well as school-based aid.
Kansas Comprehensive Grants and State Scholarships: Kansas Comprehensive Grants are available for full-time Leavenworth day degree-seeking traditional undergraduate Kansas students. The approximate maximum award is $3,500. The exact value is based on financial need and availability of funds.
Kansas State Scholarships are available for Kansas high school graduates who rank high in their classes and receive high scores on the ACT or SAT. The award is based on financial need. The priority date for application is March 15 for the following academic year.
The Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship is a merit-based service obligation scholarship program that provides financial assistance to both students pursuing bachelor's degree programs and currently licensed teachers pursuing an endorsement in hard-to-fill disciplines or master's degrees in hard-to-fill disciplines or either group planning to teach in an underserved geographic area. Recipients sign agreements to teach one year for each year of scholarship support in Kansas. Recipients are eligible to receive this scholarship for up to ten semesters, which includes both undergraduate and graduate work. Recipients may be eligible for up to $5,536 per academic year ($2,768 per semester).
The Kansas Board of Regents offers other financial aid programs to Kansas students at the University of Saint Mary. For more information visit https://www.kansasregents.org/scholarships_and_grants
Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Pell grants are direct aid which the student is not required to repay. To qualify for these awards, students must be a first-time degree-seeking student or are enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs that lead to teacher certification or licensure. Students must complete the FAFSA and have a correlating Student Aid Index (SAI) that is deemed by the Department of Education as Pell Grant eligible.
Other federal grant programs offered at the University of Saint Mary:
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- TEACH Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Self Help: Loans and Jobs
Federal Direct Loans: There are two kinds of federal direct loans. The subsidized loan is based on need; the federal government “subsidizes” the interest on this loan while the student is in school. The unsubsidized loan is not need-based; it is available to students regardless of personal or family income, but the loan accrues interest while the student is in school. Students are under full obligation to begin repayment of either loan six months after graduation or when they drop below the required course load.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans: A Federal PLUS loan is a fixed interest rate loan to help graduate students or parents of dependent students pay for their postsecondary education.
Federal Work Study: The University of Saint Mary offers part-time employment to help offset educational, living, and social expenses. Positions are available in areas such as the fitness center, offices, laboratories, library, cafeteria, reception desks, and switchboard. Awards are based on the student’s total financial need.
Private Loans: Private loans are used to help bridge the gap between actual costs and school, federal and state financial aid programs. Private loans are funded by private, third-party lenders. The University of Saint Mary partners with Fast Choice (a product of Great Lakes Education Loan Services) to help students and their families understand private loans. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from recommending private lenders. The private lenders on the University of Saint Mary’s website are just a few lenders who offer private loans.
Graduate Assistantships: The University of Saint Mary has a limited number of Graduate Assistantships available each year. Available positions will be posted on the University of Saint Mary employment page. Information may be obtained from the Human Resources office in Saint Mary 105.